Reia- A Novella (COMPLETE)

Chapter 9

Marfa and Hazira pulled up to the lab, where the chaos seemed to be devolving into a low, lingering sense of despair. People in the lobby were carrying boxes from their old offices, bidding final goodbyes to colleagues, or just watching from the sides in shock.

The man at the front desk waved at Marfa as he walked in.

"Voro, sir. I mean, Mr. Marfa," the attendant said nervously. "M-Miss Ehkra- Bola Ehkra- she wants to see you."

"One of the Four is here?" Marfa said, scratching his head. "Uh, okay?" He turned to Hazira. "Go on downstairs without me. You know the code, right?"

"0719," Hazira said quietly.

"Good," Marfa nodded. "I don't know what Ehkra wants, but keep cautious."

"Okay. Oh, and be sure to tell her about Goiya. Maybe she can... I don't know, talk some sense into him."

"She's waiting in the main office, sir," the attendant said.

Marfa nodded, walking to the office door as Hazira left for the basement steps. The office was a plush little room where you could get general information about the labs. This time, however, the whole space felt cold, unwelcoming. Ehkra was standing in the center of the room, looking solemn. Her guard escorts were sitting in chairs nearby.

"Madam," Marfa said respectfully, trying to keep his eyes from darting nervously to the guards. "How may I be of assistance?"

"Voro Marfa," Ehkra nodded. "I must confide in you. There's been a grave problem with some of the Four."

"Goiya," Marfa muttered, jaw falling open. "What's wrong?"

"They've become obsessed with... well, you know this already," Ehkra said. "Goiya desperately wants to get into that chamber of yours again. I have heard that he's been causing you some grief."

"Y-yes, ma'am," Marfa said, taken aback. "Goiya had a friend of mine arrested- wrongly- and he put Hazira Tyvos and myself on the wanted list."

"I am very sorry about that, truly. And, I assure you, I will have that fixed as soon as this all blows over. First, however, I think we ought to fortify your lab," Ehkra explained. "Or, better yet, the whole building. Goiya plans to use your room to increase his power further."

"Further?" Marfa gasped, putting his hand to his head. "Wh-what?"

"Goiya wants to use the word strings to increase his power," Ehkra explained. Urgency burned in her eyes. "Is that even possible?"

"I... I think it is, ma'am," Marfa said. His stomach flipped as he realized the danger of the situation.

If Goiya could grow more powerful than the rest of the Four, there'd be no stopping him. Those word string books... they were all so meticulously labeled, it wouldn't take long for an outsider to figure them out. And, especially with his present condition, there were strings Goiya could use that would make him unstoppable-

"Alright, then," Ehkra said, cutting off Marfa's train of thought. "First and foremost, we must protect your lab. I can send in guards to defend it. What is the passcode?"

Marfa's stomach flipped. It was as if ice had suddenly enveloped the room. He gulped. "I... can take care of that myself. Send your men down, and I'll open the door for them."

There was a tense, painful silence.

Ehkra paused, locking eyes with Marfa. "You're cleverer than you look, Voro Marfa," she said, growing menacing.

"I'm afraid you aren't very subtle," Marfa laughed nervously. "A blind man could see that you're after the same thing as Goiya yourself. And, ah, Madam Ehkra, I'm afraid I... have to... go."

Marfa bolted for the door, furiously rattling the handle, to no avail. It was locked from the outside. Marfa swore, turning to face Ehkra again.

"Ehkra," he said breathlessly, pressing up against the door, "There's another solution here. I know the word string originally didn't go the way we expected it to, but I can fix it."

"Fix it, Marfa?" Ehkra repeated.

"I can get you back to normal. I have a word string prepared and everything. It's possible," Marfa said desperately, hands up in surrender. "I know this isn't what you planned for, or what you wanted. All we were trying to do was protect the city, and you've suffered for it."

Ehkra's hands shook.

"We can fix it, though," Marfa promised. "We can get everything back to the way it's supposed to be. I promise you, Ehkra."

There was a tense pause. Marfa's eyes were locked on Ehkra's, pleading desperately.

"Too late for that now," she said quietly.

"All units move in," one of the guards said over his radio.

"What are you doing?" Marfa demanded.

"We're taking the laboratory," Ehkra explained bitterly. "Even if I can't get into your lab, I'm making sure none of those other traitors can either."

"Secure the perimeter," the guard said into his radio.

"This is insanity! This is sheer insanity!" Marfa shouted, taking a step towards Ehkra. But a guard stepped up, seizing Marfa's throat in a massive, gloved fist. The scientist let out a strangled squeak.

"Oh?" Ehkra said, smiling smugly as Marfa flailed, gasping. "I suppose we'll see about that."